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IN BSKALF OF TH2 



souTU'C^nomr^ coi^leoe. 




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J. HE Subscribers, Trustees of the South-Carolina College, have 
seen with deep regret, the recent attacks made upon the Board, and 
the newly elected Professors oi that Institution, The avowed object 
of these attacks, is to deprive the College of public confidence, to 
induce parents not only to "withhold their sons from being placed 
under the present Faculty, but that they should use all their influence 
to withhold the sons of others," As the success of these efforts 
must be fatal to an Institution, which is deemed by us, essential to 
the honour and welfare of the State, we feel ourselves called upon, to 
make an effort for its preservation. 

In the course of a series of articles which have appeared 'in the 
columns of the "Christian Herald," and the "Charleston Observer," 
the attempt lias been made to show that under the present organiza- 
tion, the College is " put in hostile array against all Christian in- 
fluence ;" the Professors are charged with being men without 
religion, and the course pursued by the Board of Trustees, in the 
late election of Professors, is ascribed to " strong feelings of hos- 
tility to the Christian religion —a noted contempt and rancorous 
hatred of the clergy," — and all this while it is admitted that " most 
of the Board are certainly friendly to the <:ause of religion.'* So 
indiscriminate has been tlie censure of the proceedings of the Board, 
that even the remodelling of the former Professorship of Moral and 
Intellectual Philosophy and the Evidences of Christianity, at their 
meeting in June last, and the pstahlishment of a Professorship oi 



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" Sacred Literature and the Evidences op Christianity," 
and \he filling that important Professorship with a Clergyman of 
acknowledged piety and eloquence — charged with the instruction of 
the students in Sacred Literature, and the stated performance of 
Divine service in the College Chapel, has been denounced as being 
" only a more determined prosecution of the anti-christian policy of 
former years," — a measure founded'on "deep design,'^ and intended 
to " blindfold, and stultify the Christian community." 

Against charges such as these, and others of a like character, the 
Subscribers, would, so far as they are personally concerned, deem 
it unnecessary to make any reply. We have lived in vain, if, at 
this^period of our Jives, it could be necessary for us to repel such 
imputations. At the meeting in June last, there were no less than 
twenty-three Trustees present, viz : Tlie Governer of the State, 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Judges Desaussure, 
Johnson, O^Neall, Harper, Butler and Evans; General Hayne, 
General Hamilton, General Thompson, Colonel Hampton, Colonel 
P. M. Butler, Dr. Fisher, Solicitors Thompson T. Player, Frc^nklin 
Elmore, and Thomas J. Withers; Messrs. D. L. Wardlaw, James 
Gregg, D. J. McCord, C. P. Bookter, Thomas W, Glover, and 
William F. Desaussure ; and it may surely be asked whether it is at 
a\\c?'edible, that these gentlemen could possibly have been influenced in 
the fulfilment of their high trust, by the motives which have beeri 
imputed to the Board 1 It is a melancholy reflection, that the best 
efforts of disinterested men, anxious to do right, and taking vast 
pains to do so, should be so grossly misrepresented, and harshly cen-^ 
sured, by those who have not even taken the pains to be correctly 
informed. The imputation that the Trustees did not desire, to place, 
religious men in the Professors chairs, and that they selected Dr. 
Capers, (a man of known piety,) merely as "a cloak to their de- 
sign, to introdnce infidels in all the other departments," is utterly 
unfounded ; and the imputation of infidelity upon the newly elected 
Professors, is made without knowledge, gratuitously, and hardly in 
that sf)irit of Christian charity which " thinketh no evil." 

Having said thus much, we come at once to an examination of the 
main charges which have been preferred against the College, and 
will give such explanations as we trust may prove satisfactory. We 
repeat, it is not our object merely to defend ourselves, or our col- 
leagues. We have another, and tar higher, aim — the restoration of 
the College to public confidence, by refuting erroneous statements, 
and removing groundless prejudices. We believe that the South- 









I 



5 Carolina College, which has at all times been iatiniately connected 

^" with the dearest interests of the State, has now become indispensa- 

bJe to her safety. It is upon our moral and intellectual resources 
that the South must mainly rely for the support of her just rights, 
and that equal station in the Confederacy which is essential to her 
honour and welfare. At this crisis the support of our College, as 
furnishing the means of training up, amidst all the endearing associ- 
ations of home, the youth who are to be the guardians of their 
Country, when those who now uphold her shall be swept from the 
stage, is one of the highest duties of patriotism. It is this great duty 
which we shall now attempt to perform. We shall do it in perfect 
singleness of heart, and, we tru^t,in a becoming spirit. The anxious 
solicitude of the Ciiristian community, with regard to the religious 
character of this institution — and even the unmerited censures to 
which the conduct of the Board has been subjected, will not be 
treated by us as imputations, to be indignantly repelled, but as objec- 
tions to be removed. The Board of Trustees, scattered as they are 
throughout the State, cannot, at tliis season, be brought together or 
generally consulted. We cheerfully assume, therefore, the respon- 
sibilit}' of making this appeal to all the good people of the State, 
without distinction of sect, denomination, or party, in behalf of that 
cherished object of our affections, the South-Carolina College. We 
ask, only — ar>d that not in behalf of ourselves, but of the great Lite- 
rary Institution of our State — a patient hearing and a candid judg- 
ment. The gfrave charge brought against the College, the Trustees, 
and the Faculty, is in substance this, — That the Institution is 
ANTl-CHRISTIiVN in its character and tp.ndency: that it is in 
fact in the hands of men who are fatally bent on making it a school 
of infidelity. The existing controversy is indeed expressly charged 
to be a " contest between Christians and Infidels f and the true 
question at issue, " whether the College shall be thrown into the 
scale of Christianity or Infidelity? — a question (which, it is very 
properly added) resolves itself into another, whether we shall have a 
College or not?" In support of this charge, it is alleged, that the 
election of Dr, Cooper as President, and the rejection of the Rev. 
Dr. M'AuLEY fifteen years ago, was designed to put down the 
influence of religious men — that the whole conduct of the Trustees 
ever since has manifested a settled hostility to the Cleigy — and that 
the proceedings of the present Board, at their meeting in June last, 
prove, conclusively, that they are still animated by the same spirit. 
Let us now briefly examine the proofs adduced in support of this 
sweeping charge. It may be well to premise, however, that it can 



hardly be expected that we should follow our assailants hi a Review 
of the History of the College, for the last fifteen years. The present 
Board of Trustees are in no way responsible for the measures adopted 
by their predecessors. Some of the Trustees have been connected 
with the College for only a lew years ; and a majority of the present 
Board had no participation in, or personal knowledge of, many of 
the transactions which have been referred to. It would, certainly, 
be doing all, therefore, that could reasonably be expected of us, at 
this time, to show that the College, under the arrangement effected 
in December and June last, is entitled to public confidence and sup- 
port; and that the charge of its being calculated or intended, as at 
present organized, to exert an influence unfavourable to Christianity, 
is wholly unfounded. Surely if the influence which formerly ex- 
isted was of a deleterious character, the present Board must rather 
he entitled to praise than censure, for having earnestly set about tho 
work of reform. If the election of Dr. Cooper afforded just ground 
of complaint, surely the withdrawal of that gentleman from all con- 
nexion with the Institution, should be regarded as a circumstance 
manifesting a disposition on the part of the present Board to meet 
the wishes ot the Christian comnmnity. So far, therefore, as relates 
to the past history of the College, we shall rest satisfied witb 
merely correcting one or two erroneous statements. 

It has been assumed, that during the first fifteen years of its 
existence, the College was organized on a different principle^ from 
that which has subsequently prevailed; and evidence that the Insti- 
tution was then devoted to the cause of Christianity, has been found 
in the alleged fact, that " a course of instruction on the Evidences of 
Christianity was provided for in the act of Incorporation— that regular 
preaching and prayer were enjoined ; and, above all, that the 
President, and nearly all the Professors, during the period of fifteen 
years, were either Ministers of the Gospel, or laymen of decided 
piety." Now the truth is, that no such provision is to be found in 
the charter, nor did a single regulation ever exist with regard to 
religious exercises or instruction, which is not now provided for in 
the College ; — it is an error to assert that nearly all the Professors 
" were Ministers of the Gospel or laymen of decided piety ;" the 
truth is, that objections were then constantly made, as they are now^ 
against "the want of a Religious influence in the College," and the 
venerable President himself did not escape these unfounded imputa- 
tions. The next allegation is, that on the death of Dr.Maxcy "an un- 
accountable revolution took place in the views of the Trustees, and 
suddenly there was manifested a settled determination to exclude 



religious men and religious inflaence from the Inslitution." In 
support of this change, the election of Dr. Cooper over the liead of 
the Rev. Dr. M'Auley, is triunipliantly adduced. Now it would be 
more natural, and certainly more charitable, to suppose, that Dr. 
Cooper might have been indebted for his election to his high charac- 
ter for science and learning, the recommendation of Mr. Jefferson, 
and his acknowledged skill as a chemisr ; which one of the assailants 
of the College candidly acknowledges might very reasonably have 
influenced their choice, than to attribute i* to a revolution in 
opinion and feeling, wliich all would admit to be "unaccountable." 
The truth, however, is, that the Rev. Dr. M'Auley was not rejected. 
It has been shown by the statements of Chancellor Desadssure and 
Col. Blandsng, already published, that Dr. M'Auley ?^'flf5 wof « 
candidate, when Dr. Cooper was elected ; and if it had not been for 
the conduct of the Rev. Charlton Henry, in absolutely withdrawing 
his name, that there is any reason to believe he would have been 
elected: and so, the proof of a change in the views of the Board, 
founded on the rejection of the Rev, Dr. MWidey, falls to the 
ground. We will only here add our belief, that great as Dr. Cooper's 
reputation was, and popular as he had become as Professor of Chem- 
istry in our own College, he never would have been advanced to the 
Presidency, if any apprehension had been felt, that this w^ould lead 
to the existence of any influence unfavourable to Christfanity. 

We have no hesitation in stating our conviction, that in no single 
instance, has any Clergyman ever been refused a Professorship on 
account of his sacred Profession ; on the contrary, we do firmly be- 
lieve, that with equal claims in all other respects, a Clergyman would 
generally have been preferred. Clergymen have never been, and 
are not now proscribed. The number of Clergj^men connected 
with instruction in the College, has been pretty much the same 
through the whole peried of its history. Passing over the Rev. Dr. 
Maxcy, who for a period of fifteen years presided over the Institution, 
— we have had among the Professors, the Rev. Drs. Montgomery, 
Brown, Hanckel, Wallace, Henry, and Capers, and yet the 
Board is charged with a determined hostility to the Clergy. 

Coming down to the present time, we now proceed to ex- 
amine the charges preferred against the College in reference to 
the new organization effected, and the elections made at the 
meeting of the Board in December and June last. To a clear 
understanding of the proceedings of the Board on these occa- 
sions, it is proper to premise, that the College had been de- 
clining for several years. That the imputation of infidelity which 



had attached to Dr. Cooper, — the supposed laxity of discipline^, — - 
the ruinous condition of tiie College buildings — =and other causes 
not necessary to be here stated, — had so impaired the popularity of 
the Institution, that the number of students had been greatly redu- 
ced, and the necessity of taking prompt and decisive measures to 
restore the institution to public confidence, seemed to be generally 
felt and acknowledged. At the stated meeting of the Board in De- 
cember, a Committee was appointed to inquire into the causes of 
the decline of the institution, and to devise measures for the im- 
provement of its condition. This Commiltee, after tKe most patient 
examination, and extensive inquiries, made a report to the Board, 
recommending the vacation of the offices of all the Professors, and 
that new elections should be held to fill the vacancies thus created. 
The Rev. Mr. Henry had previously given notice of his intention to 
resign, and the other Professors, on receiving an intimation of the 
views of the Board, all promptly resigned, and the College was thus 
left without a Faculty. As it was manifestly impossible to fill all 
the vacancies immediately, some provision became necessary to 
prevent the exercises from being suspended, and the Students sent 
home. Temporary' arrangements were accordingly made with some 
of the former Professors, for the instruction of tiie several classes in 
Chemistry, Mathematics, and the Languages. Two of these Pro-- 
fessors, viz: the Rev. Robert Henry, and Mr. Henhy J. Nott, 
the former Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy and the 
Evidences of Christianity,, and the latter Professor of Logic, Belles 
Lettres, and the Philosophy of Languages, it was proposed to re- 
tain, and to this arrangement no objection, as far as we know, was 
then urged, in or out of the Board. — Mr. Henry, however, it was 
found, would not consent to remain in any other station than the 
Presidency, an office, which in the condition of the College at that 
time, the Trustess did not think proper to fill. Mr. Nott, against 
whom no complaints were then urged, — who as a Professor, had 
fulfilled his duties to the entire satisfaction of all, was re-elected, 
almost unanimously, and he continued from December to June to 
fulfil the duties of his office in a manner creditable to himself and 
the institution, and without, as far as we know, any objection being 
publicly urged against him. But the Trustees did not stop here. 
Having understood that Professor Dew, of Virginia, Mr. Cogswell 
(then of Raleigh,) and Professor Davies, of West Point, all gentle- 
men of high reputation and distinguished talents, would accept re- 
spectively, the Professorships of Political Economy, Ancient Lan- 
guages, and Mathematics ; these gentlemen were accordingly elected 



to these sseveral stations, in tlie iiope, that by these arrangements, the 
College would be restored to public confidence, and extensive use- 
fulness. We have heard of no imputations from any quarter upon 
these gentlemen, and we must, therefore, presume, that if they had 
accepted their appointments, (as the Board had every reason to ex- 
pect,) we should have escaped the censure which has since been 
thrown upon our proceedings. In order, however, to give some 
colour to these censures, there very proceedings, against which not a 
whisper of discontent was heard for upwards of six months, are now 
exhibited in the following odious point of view — with what justice 
the public will decide. Keeping entirely out of view the fact, that 
Messrs. Dew, Cogswell, and Dav[es, all believed to be " religious 
men," were elected at the same time with Professor Nott, and 
concealing the fact, that the Rev. Robert Henry was also at the 
same time^ offered the Professorship which he had so long held— -it 
is merely stated that Professor Henry was " dismissed without cere- 
mony," while Professor Nott was retained — and the re-organiza- 
tion is represented as consisting simply in the expulsion of the pious 
members of the Faculty, (especially Dr. Henry, and Dr. Park) and 
retaining those of an opposite character. Now we have shewn 
that these new Professors, all admitted to be unexceplionable, were 
elected at the same time with Professor Nott, and that Professor 
Henry was not " dismissed," but otfered to be retained. To all 
this we will add, that though the assailants of the College now liold 
up Dr. Henry as the representative of the religious community, and 
adduce what they commonly call his '* rejection," as an evidence 
of the anti-religious tendency of the Board, yet it is notoi'ious, that 
Dr. Henry himself did not, while in the College, entirely escape 
the imputation of a want of orthodoxy — an imputation which we be- 
lieve to be altogether unfounded, but which it is worthy of remark, 
has only ceased to be urged, since his connexion with the College 
has been dissolved. The excellent Dr. Maxcy himself could not, 
while President of the College, escape similar imputations. With 
regard to the venerable Dr. Park, whose name has been unnecessa 
rily brought into this discussion, we will merely remark, that his age 
and infirmities wei'e considered by himself, as well as his friends, as 
presenting an insuperable obstacle to his re-election. He was not a 
candidate, and expressly declared " that the Board ought not to elect 
him, and that he could not conscientiously accept of the appointment 
if they did." And yet his retirement, under such circumstances, 
with a provision for his old age, and every possible mark of attach- 
ment and respect, has been held up as affording conclusive evidence 



8 

of tlie " antiTeligious tendences of the Board." Such is a brief 
history of the proceedings of tlie Board at their meeting in Decem- 
ber last. Unfortunately for the College, however, the newly elected 
Professors declined accepting their appointments— and at the special 
meeting in June, the Trustees found the College under the care of 
Professor Nott, (who still retained the Professorship of Rhetoric 
and Belles Lettres,) assisted by the Rev. Dr. Capers, (who at the 
instance of a Committee of the Trustees, had undertaken tempora- 
rily to instruct in Moral Philosophy,) and of the other gentlemen who 
had been requested by the Board to continue their instructions until 
the newly elected Professsors should enter upon the duties of their of- 
fices. The College was now surrounded with difficulties, which the 
Trustees had to grapple with, as well as they could. A Committee 
had been appointed by the Board to inquire for suitable candidates 
to fill the vacancies in the Institution, and great exertions had been 
made to fulfil that dut)-. Circulars had been despatched in all quar- 
ters, and every possible effort made to secure to the College the 
services of the most eminent men to be found in the United States. 
To show the uncommon pains taken on this subject, we will here 
state that the names of upwards of thirty gentlemen were brought 
before the Board, and so numerous were the recommendations, that 
it occupied the Board two days to read and examine them. If the 
assailants of the College had seen these testimonials — if they had 
witnessed the anxious inquiries of the Board into the characters and 
qualifications of the Candidates, and could have realized the difficul- 
ty and delicacy of making the selection ; if they had been aware ot 
the sincere desire felt by the Board, to fulfil their high trust with a 
single eye to the welfare of the Institution, and the best interests of 
the State, we must have been spared the harsh and injurious ani- 
madversions which have been made upon the conduct of the Board. 
The task of selecting among rival candidates, is at all times a diffi- 
cult and delicate one ; and when the relative claims and qualifica- 
tions of learned and scientific men, are to be weighed and adjusted, 
it is manifestly impossible to make any decision which may not be 
open to objections. Our opponents, therefore, by dwelling with warm, 
and we doubt not, deserved eulogy, upon the character and claims of 
the gentlemen who were passed over, and at the same time, institut- 
ing a severe scrutiny into the pretensions of the gentlemen elected, 
without even looking at the recommendations which were before the 
Board ; may find it an easy task to excite suspicion, and create preju- 
dice, but we will venture to say, that if they had been themselves 
members of the Board, they would most probably have concurred in 



9 

their proceedings, certain it is, that the election of Dr. Lieber, against 
which the strongest objections have been urged, was made unani- 
mnuslif — and the creation of the Professorship of Sacred Liferatare, 
which is held up as affording evidence of " a more determined hos- 
tility to Christianity," was adopted with but a single dissenting 
voice, and it is not denied that " most of the Board are certainly 
friendly to Religion," and some of them the very *' pillars of the 
Church." We cannot be induced, even to shield ourselves from 
unmerited imputations, to wound the feelings of honorable men, 
by instituting an odious comparison between the acquirements, and 
intellectual, and moral qualities, of all the candidates, whose names 
were before the Board. We can only say, the claims of all were 
fairly considered^ and the decision impartially made, we trust 
without the slightest imputation upon the character of any gentle- 
man who was not elected. It was impossible to select five or six 
Professors, out of thirty candidates, and give universal satisfaction. 
To give occasion to cavil, and some ground for plausible, if not 
substantial objections, was unavoidable. But this we fearlessly as- 
sert, that the choice was, in every single instance, directed by an hon- 
est desire of selecting as Professors, the men in all respects best 
qualified for the stations to which they were appointed. The 
Trustees r.ould have no ** personal ends" to answer, and could not 
have been, and were not influenced in their choice, by favour or af- 
fection, for men who were for the most part, known to them only by 
their general reputation. It is not, and cannot be true, that any 
desire was felt by the Board to exclude the graduates of our own 
College, and to select gentlemen from abroad, in preference to those 
at home. It is unjust, to suppose, that the Trustees of the South- 
Carolina College — man}'^ of them graduates of that institution — all 
southern men — Carolinians, not only in name, but in heart, could 
have been actuated by so unworthy a spirit. More monstrous still, 
is the supposition ihat a body of respectable and well informed men, 
entertaining a high respect for religion, many of them communicants 
iu the Churches to which they belong, and all of them deeply im- 
pressed with the vital importance of strengthening the religious and 
moral influences of society, could have been guilty of organizing 
the College, and electing Professors, with a view to the extension of 
an anti-religious influence. 

We have shewn, as far as we have gone, that these charsfes are 
unsupported. We will now proceed to examine some other argu- 
ments which have been urged in support of them. The sum and 
substance of the charges against the newly elected Professors, is, that 

2 



10 

they are not " religious men." We meet the objection, by asking 
on what authority this charge has been made 1 When originally 
urged, the assailants did not even pretend to be acquainted with their 
religious principles, and yet in the absence of all proof , and without 
knowledge, respectable men were publicly denounced, as not fit to 
be trusted with the education of our children? But before we 
proceed to investigate this charge of a want of religion, so strong- 
ly urged against the newly elected Professors, we pause to inquire 
what is the rule, which it is desired that the Trustees should ob- 
serve in appointments connected with the College 1 Is it contended 
that no man shall have any connexion with the institution who is not 
" a religious man," by which the objectors understand a man of 
" evangelical faith," and of " vital experimental religion V If such 
a rule were adopted, is it not obvious that the Board must be trans- 
ferred into an ecclesiastical body, undertaking to determine the 
orthodoxy of men*s religious opinions'? or that they must submit to 
be governed by the decision of some ecclesiastical tribunal t If a 
man professing a belief in the Christian Religion, shdM he found 
faithful in the performance of all the relative and social duties of 
life— maintaining in his intercourse with the world, the character of 
a virtuous and honest man, — can we undertake to look beyond this, 
to discover his *' religious prmciples V* Can any other standard be 
proposed which would not necessarily degenerate into sectarianism 1 
Would a Catholic, a Unitarian, a member of the Society of Friends, 
however learned and pious, come up to the standard of the writers 
in the " Observer," and the '* Herald 1" But we have seen in the 
case of Dr. Lieber, that even an open profession of religion, a mem- 
bership of a Christian Church, accompanied by a life above re- 
proach, is not deemed snfficient to establish the required religious 
character. Dr. Ellet too (also said to be a member of the Church, 
and against whom nothing has been alleged,) falls below the stand- 
ard. Mr. Twiss, and Mr. Stuart, gentleman of irreproachable 
moral character, and not even suspected of infidelity, 7ioi being 
Professors of religion, are also denounced. Gentlemen in the 
warmth of their zeal, overlook the obvious difficulties which lie in 
their way, and seem not to perceive that in denouncing the new 
Professors, (not one of whom is even suspected of infidelity,) they 
have taken upon themselves to set up a standard of their own, 
which has never been applied to any literary institution in this^ 
country. The truth is, that however deniable it might be, to con- 
for:Vi to the views of the opponents of the College, the Trustees dare 
not even go so far as to say, that none but members of the Church 




11 

shall ever bo admitted to a Professorship in our College. Ours is 
strictly a literary and scientific, and not an ecclesiastical institution. 
It is supported by the friends of all denominations and all classes in 
the community, and none can be rightfully excluded from its offices. 
Although there is no such provision in our charter^ yet it is express- 
ly declared in the charters of the Charleston and Beaufort College, 
that " no person shall be excluded from any liberty, or privilege, 
office^ or situation, in said College, on account of his religious per- 
suasion, provided he demean himself in a sober, peaceable, and or- 
derly manner," &c. — a provision which clearly shows the sense of 
the Legislature on this subject. When, therefore, gentlemen would 
exclude from Professorships in our College, such men as Professors 
LiEBGR, Ellet, Stuart, and Twiss, two of them professors, and 
all of them understood to be avowed believers in the Christian Reli- 
gion, men too of unexceptionable moral character, on the ground 
that they are " not religious men" — they are laying down a rule ap- 
plicable only to sectarian and ecclesiastical institutions. 

We are pleased to be able to state, that one at least of the'^writers 
who have assailed the College, has substantially admitted the cor- 
rectnes:^ of these views. The editor of the " Christian Herald" de- 
clares, " that no man should be excluded merely for a want of reli- 
gion, — nay, more, (says he,) I would not exclude a pious Jew from 
holding a Professorship in the College, provided his literary attain- 
ments justly entitled him to the place— all I ask is, that the prevail- 
ing influence be in favour of Religion. To Mr. Ellet and Mr. 
Stuart, (adds this writer,) we know of no objections, taken in 
connexion with other members of a Faculty, in whose piety the re- 
ligious community had confidence. We do not know that they would 
treat religion with disrespect, or exert any positive influence againsj 
it. For ought then that we know to the contrary — these men, emi- 
nent for their qualifications^ ought to be sustained." The issue 
here presented we are willing to meet. Brought to this standard, 
we are quite sure the re-organization of the College will stand the 
test of scrutiny. At the same tiine, that Messrs. Lieber, Ellet, 
Stuart and Twiss, were elected, a Professorship of "Sacred Lite- 
rature and the Evidences of Christianity" w^as created, and filled 
with a Clergyman oi aclcnoivledfred piety ^ and distinguished talents, 
w^io was charged with the special duty of religious instruction in the 
College^ and the regular performance of Divine Service in the Col- 
lege Chapel. Here then was the influence of the Board manifestly 
thrown into the scale of Christianity and of vital piety, in the adop- 
tion of a measure certainly intended^ as we most solemnly declare — 



12 

and we must think well calculated to exert a controlling religio^us 
injiuence over the institution. 

Notwithstanding all the objections which have been urged against 
this proceeding, impartially and candidly considered, it affords con- 
clusive evidence of a settled determination on the part of the Board, 
to meet the wishes of the religious community. Taken in connex- 
ion with the removal of Dr. Cooper, and the election of four new 
Professors, (not one of them tainted with even the suspicion of infi- 
delity,) the almost unanimous election of the Rev. Dr. Capers to a 
Religious Professorship, left no doubt of the design of the Board, 
that "the prevailing influence" should be in favour of religion. No 
one has given the slightest reason to suspect that any of the new 
Professors would be disposed to exert a contrary influence. There 
is no ground whatever for such a suspicion — on the contrary, there 
is every reason lo believe, that they would cheerfully and cordially 
co-operate with the Professor of Sacred Literature, in extending a 
wholesome religious influence over the institution. It would be their 
interest as well as their duty so to do. Public opinion, as well as 
the known wishes of the Trustees, would demand this at their hands, 
and it is hardly to be believed, that coming as strangers amongst us, 
they would be guilty of the egregious folly of creating obstacles in 
their own way. It is from Dr. Leiber alone that opposition seems 
to have been apprehended, and this from the mistaken impression 
that he had vindicated what are called the "atheistical restrictions 
of the Gerard College," when in point of fact, his work on that sub- 
ject contains an able argument to shew that Religion is the only 
SAFE foundation OF MORALS, and that Religious instruction is 
INDISPENSABLE to the prosperity of all literary institutions. 

It has been stated as an objection to the influence of the Religious 
Professorship, that not being a regular Professorship, it must be less 
influential than the others, especially " as no duties have been as- 
signed to it, but such as are odious and contemptible in the eyes of 
most students." Now with regard to the assignment of duties, it 
must be observed that this was left open, with a view to such an ar- 
rangement as might be deemed best calculated to give efficiency to 
the new Professorship, and should it be found expedient for this 
purpose, to add moral, or even intellectual Philosophy, or to make 
any other arrangement, we doubt not it would be done. We think 
it, however, a mistake to suppose, that a course ot instruction in Sa- 
cred Literature and the Evidences of Christianity, accompanied by 
the stated performance of Divine Service in the College Chapel, by 
a learned, pious, and popular Clergyman, could possibly be " con- 



13 

temptible in the eyes of the students." Certain it is, that the Pas- 
tors of our Churches are not held in contempt by the youth of tlieir 
flocks, and in this case, in addition to the respect to be derived from 
the sacred character of the office, and the regular performance of 
Divine Service —there would be an authority attaciied to the Pro- 
fessor as a member of the Faculty, and an instructor in the higher 
branches of biblical learning. This Professorship i - no more an 
extra Professorship than Dr. Libber's — they have indeed both been 
recently created, — but all the Professorships, in respect to tenure, 
salary, power and influence, stand precisely on the same footing. 

From this brief statement of facts, it will, we trust, satisfactorily 
appear, that there was nothing in the creation or arrangement of the 
duties of the Professorship of Sacred Lirerature, calculated to im- 
pair the confidence of the Christian community — that there is no 
reason to believe that all the other Professors would not be disposed 
most cordially to co-operate in extending the influence of that Pro- 
fessor — and that so estimable a man as Dr. Capers, should have 
taken a different view of this matter, is to us a subject of great sur- 
prise, and of profound regret. With the highest possible respect 
for that gentleman, we cannot but think he is mistaken in supposing 
there is any thing in the character and duties of this Professorship, 
or in the present organization of the College, which might have im- 
paired his influence, or presented obstacles in his way.* Certain it 
is, that the design of the Trustees was very far otherwise, and we 
have no hesitation in saying, that the Board will be ready to do 
whatever may be found necessary for strengthening and sustaining 
this Professorship, which, as it is second to none in dignity and im- 

* It appears from a letter of Dr. Capers, to the Secretary of the Board, just published 
by himself, that immediately after his election, and " when he supposed that no reasona- 
ble exceptions could be taken on account" of the Professors, he objected to his new Pro- 
fessorship on the ground of the "vague and undefined terms (Sacred Literature) which 
had been chosen to designate it,' and more especially on the ground "that as a Minis- 
ter of a Chuixh whose whole ecojioray as to the Ministry is based on the principle 
that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel, and no more; that he could 
not bargain for his ministry, that Jie might teach Philosophy for a price, but not 
Christ crucified." Now we are quite sure, that the duties of the Professorship would 
have been designated to the entire satisfaction of Dr. Capers; and if it had occurred 
to a single member of the Board that the addition of other duties would have made 
the office more acceptable to Dr. Capers, they would certainly have been added. As 
to the teaching religion for a price beyond the mere means of living, we suspect that 
the salary allowed the Professor would hardly have been liable to such an objection. 
We confess that we cannot see any substantial difference between receiving a reason- 
able compensation for teaching Moral Philosophy, or for delivering a course of Lectures. 
on the Evidences of Christianity. At all events, we think Dr. Capers himself will hai'dly 
suspect the Board of any sinister design, inputting his Professorship on an equal foot- 
ing in point of salary with the others; and if the IVustees, adopting the idea that the 
Professor of Sacred Literature should "live of his Professorship and no more^'' had 
allowed him but one, instead of two, thousand dollars, we should hardly have escaped 
the censure of those who have found in all the proceedings of the Board evidences of 
their "hostility to religion and the clergy." It is clear that it \vas not possible for the 
Trustees in tliis matter to avoid censure. 



14 

portance, should certainly be made to exert an influence that maybe 

conducive to the temporal and eternal welfare of the students. 

It will be proper before we conclude, to advert for a moment to the 

character and qualifications of the new Professors, in order that the 

public may judge whether their sons, may be safely committed to their 

strnotion,in the several departments which they have undertaken to in 

teach. 

DR. LIEBER. 

The Governor of the State, in announcing to the public, as President 
of the Board of Trustees, the result of its proceedings, speaks of this 
gentlemen in the following flattering terms, deriving his informadon from 
the testimonials before the Board: "Dr. Francis Lieberof Philadelphia^ 
has been elected Professor of Political Economy and History. From the 
very strong and unqualified recommendation of some of the profoundest 
scholars and distinguished men in Europe and America, as well as from 
the personal knowledge of some members of the Board, it is confidently 
believed that this gentleman will prove a very valuable acquisition to the 
science and literature of the State. He brings with him the roost nn- 
qualified testimonials in his favour, of the great German historian Neibhur^ 
whose favourite pupil he was, and the unusually earnest recommendation 
of Chancellor Kent, who expresses the opinion that he would be 'an 
ornament to any College in our country.' " 

It is but an act of justice to Dr. Lieber to add, that the historian Neibhur' 
states "that he knew Dr. L. intimately, that he had lived in his house a 
year, and that he could with perfect safety pronounce him to be a man 
whom nature had endowed with capacious talents, and eminent capacity 
to penetrate whatever his attention is directed to." 

Chancellor Kent too, speaks of him as "a gentleman of great learnings 
and probity, and worth, and that his name, his character, his talents, his 
learning, and great moral worth, eminently qualified him for the Presidency 
of our College, and would elevate the reputation of any University in our 
country." 

The Hon. John Sergeant of Pennsylvania, strongly recommends Dr. 
Lieber for ihe Presidency of our College stating " that he was well ac- 
quainted with him, that he is a gentleman of extensive and solid acquire- 
ments, great industry, excellent general capacity, and an admirable moral 
character, with a large acquaintance with the world and the manners and 
habits of the best society." 

Judge Story speaks of him as a gentleman " whom he has known for seve- 
ral years, and pronounces him an excellent scholar, learned, and of un- 
common enthusiasm and strength of mind, devoted to literary pursuits and 
accustomed to laborious stud'y, particularly, well versed in statistics, 
history, and moral philosophy; speaking the English language with great 
fluency and writing it very well." " I hardly know a man, (says he,) 
more fikely to have a useful influence over young minds." 

Passing' over the testimonials of the Hon. Edward Livingston, the 
Hon. Joseph Ingersoll, Nicholas Biddle, and others which our space will 
barely permit us to notice, we will conclude with an extract from the re- 
comrnendation of our own fellow-citizen. Col. William Drayton, now a 
resident of Philadelphia, than whom we certainly know of no one entitled 
to greater respect and consideration. He speaks of Dr. Lieber's "various 
accomplishments and attainments, both in private life, and as a public in- 
structor, which in the opinion of the most distinguished literary and 
scientific gentlemen in the United States, eminently qualify him for 

THE PRESIDF.VCY OF A COLLEGE." 

After readini^ these recommendations, is there any candid man who will 
state that the election of Dr. Lieber, who was also known to hcoprofessor 



15 

oj religion, affords any evidence of a disregard on the part of the Trus- 
tees of the interests of the Institution committed to their care. 

DR. ELLET. 

The next on the hst is Dr. Ellet. Of this gentleman the Governor 
speaks as follows : " Dr. Wm. H. Ellet of N. Y. has been elected Professor 
Chymistry and Geology. He came before the Board, sustained by the 
most unequivocal testimonials of eminent and peculiar quaUtications tor 
his department, from almost every Professor, and from many other dis- 
tinguished men in New- York. " He has contributed some profound 
articles to Dr. SiUiman's Journal, and the Board discovered, from an in- 
spection of a correspondence between him and Dr. Silliman, in relation 
to one of these articles, that the latter entertained the highest respect and 
utmost deference for the opinions of the former, on some very difficult 
points of investigation in the science of Chymistry." 

To go a little more into detail, we would remark that Dr. Ellet was 
highly" recommended by many of the most distinguished men in the 
United States, and among them, by no less than eighteen Presidents, and 
Professors of Colleges, and eight"^ Professors of Natural Science, as a 
gentleman " eminently qualified'''' for the office to which he has been ap- 
pointed. Among them were Proiossor Silliman, President Duer, Pro- 
fessors Renwich, Gale, Francis, Anthon, Moore, Anderson, Beck, 
McVicar, Rogers, J. Henry, and Usher. Doctors McNeven. Busche, 
Hosack, Francis, Rhinelander, Hart, Peixotte, Cooper, Chilton, Mr. 
Riker, Mr. DeKav, Mr. Griscome, Mr. Huddant, Mr. Robert Walsh, 
Mr. H. Allen, Mr! J. Webster, Mr. Boyd, Bishop Onderdonk, Mr. G. 
C Verplanck, &:c. 

These gentlemen speak of Dr. Ellet, as having been a Professor in 
Columbia" College, New- York, "in which station he had given entire 
satisfaction to all concerned — ranking high as a general scholor — who had 
been long known as an able and successful teacher of Chymistry and 
Mineralogy— that he had been a lecturer for five years, and had acquired 
a reputation, few men enjoy of his age, that he is ambitious of distinction 
in his profession, and is well fitted by education, talents and practical 
knowledge for a professorship — who had great ability and success in in- 
structing the classes committed to his care — as a chemist his talents are 
eminent — his acquaintance w^ith the subject extensive, and practical, and 
expert in manipulation ; in short, he is considered as the most accom- 
plished chymist in the State, very dexterous in manipulation, with a 
distinct and easy elocution — in scientific acquirements, having no superior 
of his age in this country, and few, if any, that are his equals — one of the 
very first Chymists in our country,'''' &c. 

t)r. HosacJc declares "that from a long acquaintance, he can speak in 
the most positive terms as to his talents and qualifications," and that in the 
new School of Medicine, (which Dr. Hosack, Mott, and others had de- 
signed to establish in the City of New-York,) "the chair of Chymistry, 
was to have been given to Dr. Ellet." 

Professor Usher, Professor of the Medical College of Ohio, states, 
"that he had daily intercourse with Dr. Ellet in his chymical laboratary 
for more than four years, and he unhesitatingly declares that he knows 
of no individual who possesses a more accurate knowledge of the philoso- 
phy'' of chymistry, or is more thoroughly versed in its practical details; 
that to this intercourse, more than to information derived from any other 
source, he owes his own proficiency in some of the most difficult depart- 
ments of the science;" "I have heard, (adds he,) some of the best 
chymists say the same thing. I know that the entire management of the 
experimental illustrations were confided to him. and I have heard Dr. 
McNeven, Professor Renwich, and Dr. Torrey, give his Views on disputed 
topics in preference to those previously entertained by themselves, and t« 



16 

such as were contained in the books. As a specimen of the ingenuity of 
Dr. Ellet's reasoning, and the novelty of his views on such subjects, I 
would refer to his essay on Cyanogen, which obtained the gold medal from 
Rutger's College, and was published in Silliman's Journal." To all 
>vhich it may be added, that Dr. EUet is represented to be '' a gentleman 
of courteous demeanour, and amiable manners, an excellent man, most 
exemplary in private life, and highly esteemed ;" and to crown the whole 
it was stated that he was possessed of an excellent and accomplished wife, 
distinguished for her literary attainments, and well calculated to exert a 
high moral influence, in the station in which she is about to be placed. 
We are happy to be able to add, that all the Professors are equally fortu- 
nate in this respect. 

MR. STUART. 

We come next to the Professor of Languages, Mr. Isaac W. Stuart, 
late Principal of the Beaufort College. The following wf>re the recom- 
mendations of Professor Stuart. President Day, and Professors Silliman 
and Goodrich, of Yale College, certified "that Mr. Stuart was graduated 
at that College in 1828 — that he sustained a high rank among" the most 
distinguished in his class, in talents and literary attainments, and excelled 
particularly in the ancient languages ; and was, in their opinion, qualified 
to gtve instructions in the higher departments of Ancient Literature." — 
President Woods, of the Theological Seminary at Andover, certified "that 
he had been acquainted with Mr. Stuart from a child — (he is the son of 
Professor Stuart, of that Institution) — that he has uniformly exhibited 
talents of a high order, and is distinguished for his acquisitions in the 
languages and in polite literature." " I consider him (says he) qualified 
in an uncommon degree for the Professorship of Languages in any Col- 
lege." "I have not known any one (says Mr. L. Wood, Jr.) who pos- 
sesses greater natural facility in making literary acquisitions, or more ar- 
dour in the pursuit of knowledge." The Trustees of the Beaufort College 
in this State, on hearing that Mr. Stuart's name was to be brought before 
the Board, jnet, and unanimously " Resolved, That they take great plea- 
sure in stating, that Mr. Isaac W. Stuart has for the two years last past 
been acting as Principal of the Institution under their charge ; that as a 
gentleman and a teacher he has given them great satisfaction : that upon 
frequent exaTnination of the boys under his charge, in such authors as 
Horace, Cicero, Sallust, Euripides and Sophocles, they were fully satisfied 
wif'i their instruction: and that he was peculiarly happy in imparting a 
taste for learning to the youths under his charge." 

Dr. Thomas Fuller, the President of the Board, in conveying this tes- 
timonial, stated " that the Trustees entertained the highest respect for Mr, 
Stuart as a sentlenian, a scholar and a teacher — that they felt great regret 
at his discoariunin!2[ hi^ valuable services in Beaufort, and he expresses 
the deep solicitude of himself and his colleagues for the success of the South- 
Carolina College — the Alma Mater of the moral and political, as well as 
the intellectual character of the youth of Carolina, and hopes the Trustees 
may oniv be so fortunate as to place in their other vacant chairs men as 
well (juaiified to fill them, as Mr. Stuart is for that for which he applies." 

We have next the recommendation of the Hon. Win. Grayson, the 
Member of Congress from Beaufort and Colleton Districts, a gentleman 
as distinguished for his talents as for his fervent piety, and great worth. 
Mr. Grayson states, "that he knew Mr. Stuart intimately, and has had a 
full opportunity to appreciate his worth, — that he has had a boy under his 
rare, — that hisquahfications are so superior, that being solicitous to see the 
SoiUh-Carolina College in a flourishing condition, he feels it an act not 
more of jnslice to Mr. Stuart, than of attachment to the State, to bear tes- 
timony in his behalf." "I never met (says Mr. Grayson) with a man 
who rnore happily combined the qualities of a gentleman and scholar, n-or 



17 

one who has more of that jud2:meat to instruct, and talents to govern 
youno:meti, without which learning and every other excellence in a teach- 
er are thrown away and useless." 

Mr. William Blliotf, of Beaufort, voluntarily, and unknown to Mr. 
Stuart, forwarded a recoinnieudation, substantially to the same eflect, 
addinojthat lie considered him "a gentleman of distinguished merit, with 
a mind of ^superior order, highly cultivated and stored with classical learn- 
ing, — in his intellectual habits a hard student, and in his morals above 
suspicion ; and on the whole deems him uncommonly qualified to become 
the guide and instructor of our Southern youth." 

Robert Barnwell Smith, our Attorney-General, concurred in these 
recommendations, and states " that he considers xMr. Stuart as in all res- 
pects worthy of being elected to the vacant professorship." 

The Hon. Roht. IV. Barnwell concurred in their views as to Mr. Stuart's 
eminent qualiiications for this professorship. He states "that he had 
taught the languages in the Beaufort College for two years, and had given 
very high satisfaction, — that the examinations had been frequent and crit- 
ical, and that he had aUvays been highly pleased with the skill of the in- 
structor, and the proficiency of the scholars. That Mr. Stuart possessed 
a peculiar aptitude for imparting knowledge, and inspiring a love of study, 
as well by the equanimity and kindness of his conduct towards his pupils, 
as by his own enthusiasm ; and on the whole Mr. Barnwell declared that 
he considered Mr. Stuart eminently qualified by his acquirements, manners, 
and character to conciliate the esteem of young gentlemen, and to exer- 
cise over them a strong influence in favour of studious habits and ripe 
scholarship." 

Mr. Albert Moore SmifJi, (vvho had knowm Mr. Stuart at College) tes- 
tified "that he did not think a more competent individual could be found 
anywhere. That he could vouch for his acquaintance not only with the 
Greek and Latin languages, but with German, French and Hebrew, and 
to crown the whole, that although Mr. Stuart was born in Massachusetts, 
he had lived long at the South, admired the people — was enthusiastically 
attached to our institutions — had married here, was a man of independent 
fortune ; andtjiat he was influenced only by his ardent devotion to letters 
and a literary ambition, to desire the office which was sought for him." 

Such were the recommendations of Mr. Stuart, and yet in yielding to 
claiins thus supported the Trustees are charged with having betrayed 
their trust, and manifested a determination to subject the College to an 
''irreligious influence," inasmuch as they were informed that Mr. Stnart 
"had no pretensions to religion." Now it is true that one of the gentle- 
men above-named did state in his letter to the Board that Mr. Stuart was 
not a "religious man." The Board incpiired into this objection, and 
were informed that nothing more was meant than that Mr. S. was not a 
professor of religion, but that with the knowledee of this fact, he had 
been elected Principal of the Beaufort College, by a Board of Trustees 
consisting of religious men, and of which, the gentleman who stated this 
objection was himself a member : that this Board p.arted with him \ ery 
reluctantly, and they all concurred in recommending himfoi this professor- 
ship). 

MR. TWISS. 
The last on our list is the Professor of Mathematics Mr. Thomas S. 
Twiss, of New- York. This gentleman was educated at the Military 
Academy at West Point, where one of our Trustees, who was several 
years since, President of the Board of Examiners, well rensembers him 
as an Assistant Professor, so jinrfirularbj distinguished., that he was spe- 
cially recommended to the War Department. ** 

3 



18 

Colonel Thayer, the late Superintendent, a gentleman whose recom 
mendation on such a subject, should certainly go as far as that of any man 
in America, certifies "that Mr. Twiss was educated at the Military 
Academy at West Point while under his superintendence; was graduated 
in 1826, and received a commission in the corps of En sinetrs^ as a re- 
ward for his distinguished merit. He was retained at the Institution as 
an Assistant Professor until he was ordered to enter upon the active du- 
ties of his profession. He is a gentleman of unimpeachable character, 
and in my opinion eminently qualified to fill the chair of Mathematics in 
your College." 

Professors Davies, Hopkins, and Bartlett, (the only Professors, now at 
West Point, under whom Mr. Twiss studied, the first named gentleman 
being the distinguished Professor of Mathematics, to whom the vacant 
chair in our College was last year tendered,) have all concurred in testi- 
fying " that Mr. Twiss is highly qualified for a professorship of Mathe- 
matics, and that they feel entire confidence in presenting his name to the 
Board, as they cannot doubt that he would make a distinguished Profes- 
sor." They bear testimony "■ to his high moral and intellectual charac- 
ter,^^ — they state, "that he was graduated second in his class, and wag 
commissioned in the Engineers ; an appointment only conferred on gra- 
duates of the most distinguished merit — that even during his cadetship he 
was ooe of the acting Assistant Professors, and after he graduated was 
for three years an Assistant Professor in the Institution, that during his 
whole course as a teacher, the attainments of his pupils gave as clear 
evidence of his zeal and skill in impartifg knowledge, as his own high 
scholarship had before given of his talents and industry — and that his 
h nourable and amiable deportment secured foi him numerous friends, 
whose attachment and esteem will be for life," — they further add, "that 
as Mr. Twiss is one of the most distinguished graduates of the Military 
Academy, and having been much engaged in the business of instruction, 
they believe his services would be calculated in a high degree to advance 
the interests, and from his peculiar qualifications to add much to the repu- 
tation of the College ; and that in their opinion the appointment of Mr. 
Twiss is the very best that could be made from among those of whom they 
have any knowledge, and whose ser\'ices could be commanded." Such 
were the recommendations of Mr. Twiss, whom the opponents of the 
College set down as a cypher ! With what justice let- an impartial public 
now determine. 

It is worthy of remark that while such strong objections are urged 
against the Professors of the College collectively, their opponents have 
been constrained to do justice, to most of them individually. Pro- 
fessor Nott is admitted to be " a gentleman and a scholar." Professors 
Ellet and Stuart are acknowledged to be men "•eminent for their qualifi- 
cations, and who ought to be sustained ;" while of Dr. Lieber, it is de- 
clared " that his intellectual, literary, and moral character, is unexcep- 
tionable. 

Such is the character of the new Professors of our College. Two 
vacancies remain to be filled — the Professorship of Sacred Literature, 
and the Professorship of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. Dr. 
Capers having declined the former, his place will unquestionably be 
filled by some able, eloquent and truly pious Clergyman, capable of 
meeting the wishes of the Trustees, and the expectations of the 
public. Nothing, we are sure, could give the Trustees greater 
pleasure than to fill up the Presidency, also, with a gentleman of 



19 

extensive learning, commanding talents, well established reputation, 
of amiable temper and popular manners, with a talent for govern- 
ment ; and withal possessed of a high, relis^ious character. If these 
qualities be found in any individual, whether he be a Clergyman or 
a layman, we presume the Trustees could not possibly err in 
advancing him to the Presidency. In every event we fearlessly 
pledge ourselves that nothing will be either done or suffered, to 
introduce an anti-religious influence into the Institution ; but, on the 
contrary, that every proper effort will be made to give it such a 
direction as may satisfy the feelings and reasonable wishes of the 
Christian community. Claiming to be Christians ourselves, and 
living among a Christian people, we should be of course disposed lo 
go very far to satisfy the claims, and remove the scruples of religious 
men of any and every donomination. The College, however, never 
can, under its present organization, and while supported by the 
State, be converted into a sectarian or ecclesiastical Institution. 
Yet the religion which is professed, or venerated in some form, by a 
great majority of the people of the State, is entitled to respectful 
considf^ration, and opportunities of instruction in it should certainly 
be afforded. So far from considering it an objection that a professor 
should be a clergyman, supposing an equality of qualification, we 
should rather prefer a clergryman to a laymen, and we think it desira- 
ble, that there should alwajs be one or two clergymen among the 
Faculty. —The public would be better satisfied that it should be so. 
"With able and scientific men in every department, men of sound 
principles, gentlemanly habits, and approved morals— with sound, 
religious instruction, provided for the children of Christian parents, 
and a President of the character we have described, we have no 
fears for the success of our College. We are persuaded that 
nothing but public confidence is now wanting to ensure this auspicious 
result. We earnestly call, therefore, upon those who are unhappily 
striving to deprive the College of that confidence and support, 
without which it cannot exist, to pause in their career. In endeav- 
ouring to persuade Christian parents not to send their sons to the 
South-Carolina College, they are unconsciously undermining the 
very pillars of the State. Already has a visible improvement taken 
place in the morals and manners of the students ; let the experiment 
under the new organization be fairly made, and we have no 
fears for the result. Let the character and qualifications of the new 
Professors be tested —let the Professorship of Sacred Literature, 
DO ITS OFFICE, and let. the Presidency be llled, as we have no 
'oubt it will be, by an able, pious, learned, and popular man; let 



20 

the regulations now in progress, for the introduction of an improved 

system of instruction, discipline and police, he carried into full effect, 

and we are perfectly satisfied that the College will realize public 

expectations. In behalf of the Trustees and Professors — in behalf of 

the College, and in behalf of the State — we appeal to you, fellow- ^ 

citizens, and say, give us your confidence, and we will venture to 

promise, that the South-Carolina College will rise from its ruins like 

the lately dilapidated walls of the edifice — in renovated grace and 

beauty — to become the pride and ornament, the blessing and 

GLORY of the State. We declare to you, fellow-citizens, our con- ' ^" 

viction that it is the sincere desire of the Trustees to remove all just 

grounds of objection to the College ; that at the late elections they 

did endeavour faithfully to perform their duties, with a single eye to 

the welfare of the College ; and surely we may expect some degree 

of credit, when we say so in the sincerity of truth and good faith. 

That Christian parents may, in our opinion, safely send their 
sons to our College, cannot, perhaps, be more strongly expressed, than 
by stating the fact, that one of the Subscribers had been induced by 
circumstances, to which it is not necessary to advert, to send his sons 
to the Virginia University, but such is his confidence in the character 
and qualifications of the Professors elected, that he has brought 
them home, and they will apply for admission into our College next 
month. This Appeal has been made with the concurrence and 
approbation of all the members of the Board of Trustees who could 
be conveniently consulted. 

R^»BERT Y. HAYIVE, 
HEIVUY TF. DESAUSSURE, 
BAVID J'OIII^SOi\, 
Tf^IELIAlTI HARPiLiR, 
PATRI€£L NOBJLE. 

Charleston, Septomher 18, 1835. 



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